FA CUP FINAL....CHELSEA Vs LIVERPOOL 2012

FA CUP FINAL

 

•  Teams;                              Chelsea Vs Liverpool     
  

• Venue;                               Wembly Stadium
  

• Date;                               Saturday 05/05/2012 

• Kick off;                                     17:15

Match Officials; Referee Philip Dowd (Staffordshire FA)

Assistant Referee Stuart Burt (Northamptonshire FA)

Assistant Referee Andrew Garratt (Staffordshire FA)

Fourth Official Michael Jones (Cheshire FA)

Reserve Assistant Referee Simon Long (Cornwall FA)

Team Kits;

 
Chelsea
Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks; GK White, White, Purple

Liverpool
Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks; GK Black, Black, Black








 OK so now all of the above is out of the way lets get on with the footy talk.


Its FA Cup final day and we at footballcrazybaby.blogspot.com can not wait for this big battle to commence.


In the Blue corner we have 6 times FA Cup winners Chelsea, who have beaten the likes of Barcelona and have booked their place in the top european cup, 'the Champions League'.


In the Red corner we have 7 times FA Cup winners Liverpool, who have already payed a visit to wembly this year and going on to lift the Carling cup against Cardiff.


We have a fight on our hands today ladies and gentlemen. Chelsea last won the FA Cup in 2010 and with the new care taker manager looking to secure a full time contract, lifting the famous trophy will definatly do Di Matteo no harm.


Liverpool last won the FA Cup in 2006 and with such a turbulant season, Kenny Dalglish must guide his red army to victory today or the Liverpool faithful could see this season as a failure.


Liverpool beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 2-1 on 20/11/2011 and the teams meet up again in the next premiership fixture at Anfield.

We think Chelsea will play Drogba instead of Torres, going on previous team selections by the Chelsea boss.


Ivanovic will get the nod infront of David Luiz, as Ivanovic is a huge threat at set pieces and David Luiz, you are never sure if he is going to do something rash.








For Liverpool we are 100% sure Riena will reclaim his possition between the sticks.


And with Skrtel and Agger fit, we will see Jamie Carragher drop to the bench.
Both CB's can score, and they have formed a formidable partnership, which sees normally first on the team sheet Carragher dropped for this game.


Above picture courtesy of football-talk


OUR PREDICTION;


It will be tight, hard and entertaining with chances for both teams.
90mins 1-1    Liverpool to win 2-1 in extra time.


CHEERS PPS FOR READING AND WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL KICK OFF!!! BRING IT ON!!!


PS; Chelsea's defensive duo David Luiz and Gary Cahill failed to train with the squad ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup final and it is therefore expected that neither will start the match against Liverpool.

Blackpool Vs. Birmingham: Tangerines Take Lead To St. Andrews - SBNation.com

Blackpool Vs. Birmingham: Tangerines Take Lead To St. Andrews - SBNation.com

Westham draw first blood in play offs

Jack Collison scores twice to put West Ham in control against Cardiff

Championship 2011-12

Cardiff City 0   West Ham United 2 Collison 9, Collison 41

Jack Collison, centre, celebrates after scoring West Ham's second goal against Cardiff in the first leg of the play-off semi-final. Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images
West Ham United's erratic home form will ensure they approach the second leg on Monday with a degree of caution but Sam Allardyce and his players are within touching distance of a place in the play-off final after this convincing victory. Two first-half goals from Jack Collison, the second of which took a huge deflection off Liam Lawrence, enhanced West Ham's reputation as a team never more comfortable than when on their travels.

Having finished the Championship season with a club-record 13 away wins, including a victory here by the same scoreline in March, West Ham delivered another impressive performance on the road to leave Cardiff facing the prospect of yet more play-off misery. It is 50 years since Cardiff were in the top-flight and any hopes they had of ending that absence and joining Swansea in the Premier League were left hanging by a thread come the final whistle.

Malky Mackay's side improved after the interval but they badly lacked a cutting edge in front of goal on a night when West Ham looked much more threatening going forward and could easily have scored a third. Carlton Cole must have thought that he had killed the tie on the stroke of half-time, when he headed towards the bottom corner only to be denied by a magnificent save by David Marshall, and Kevin Nolan nodded wide when it looked easier to score in the second half.

Not that West Ham had any reason to leave here feeling disappointed. This was an accomplished performance from a team that could have been forgiven for feeling a little sorry for themselves after missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season. They played with confidence and conviction and never looked back from the moment Collison scored the first of his two goals in the ninth minute.

"We played very well, we got it right tactically," said Allardyce, the West Ham manager. "We created chances, scored a couple and could have had more.
"But we're only 90 minutes into a two-legged affair and anything could still happen. The onus is on us to see it through. There is no pressure on Cardiff. They can come and chase what they can. Mentally, we have to be right for that."

Upton Park has been more of a hindrance than a help to West Ham at times this season but Allardyce is confident that his players can handle the occasion. "It's draws that have cost us but we have only lost four matches at home," he said. "And we're in a position now where if we don't lose, we're through."

Cardiff can take comfort from the fact that they won at Upton Park on the opening day of the season, when Kenny Miller scored the only goal, but there was little else for them to cling to at the end of a hugely disappointing evening for the home supporters. This felt all too familiar for a club that has endured play-off heartache in the previous two years, having lost to Blackpool in the final in 2010 and suffered elimination at the hands of Reading at the semi-final stage 12 months ago.

Although Cardiff started brightly and came close to scoring twice in the opening three minutes, when Peter Whittingham's 25-yard shot skimmed the crossbar and Miller drew a decent save from Robert Green with another long-range effort, the home side soon fell behind. Matthew Taylor's lofted pass picked out the run of Ricardo Vaz Tê, and the Portuguese winger delivered a superb cross that Collison headed in at the second attempt, after Marshall had pushed the midfielder's first-time volley up in the air.

The Wales international collected his second goal in the 41st minute, when he took the ball down on his chest 25 yards from goal before firing a volley that Lawrence diverted past Marshall with his head.
Cardiff badly need a breakthrough early in the second half and Ben Turner nearly provided it with a far-post header that Cole nodded off the line. Miller, who has been going through a lean spell, later flashed a volley over and Joe Mason had a goal disallowed for offside as the game slipped away from Cardiff.

Mackay, however, refused to concede the tie was dead. "I think 2-0 is a dangerous score for the team that is 2-0 up," the Cardiff manager said. "If we go there and get that first goal it makes a big, big difference."

Above article is from the guardian. You can click here to visit page.

Play-offs The Bluebirds take on The Hammers

CARDIFF CITY

 

            VS

WESTHAM UTD

• VENUE; Cardiff City Stadium

• Date; Thursday 3rd May 2012

• Kick Off; 19:45 BST

   

  So it has been a long season for all concerned in the Championship, and now it's crunch time!
  
  Big ego's, big money, big reputations, big jobs at stake, and most importantly the biggest prize of all. Promotion to join the elite in the Premiership.
  
  So its the first leg between City and Utd in the semi finals.
  
  Lets take a look at previous results between these two sides.
  
   
  
  Head-to-head
  • This is their 50th meeting, spanning 92 years. West Ham have won 25 of the last 49, and Cardiff nine.
  
  • The Championship clashes this season were both away wins; 1-0 for Cardiff at Upton Park in August, and 2-0 for the Hammers at the Cardiff City Stadium in March.
  
  • This is their first meeting in the play-offs.
  
  
  
  Cardiff City 
   
  • The Bluebirds ended the season on a 10-match undefeated sequence (W4, D6), with the four wins in their last six, to end the campaign in sixth spot, five points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
  
  • The club finishing sixth in this division has won promotion through the play-offs five times in 20 years.
  
  • Cardiff are participating in their sixth play-off campaign, and third in successive seasons. They gained promotion to the second tier through them in 2003, lost to Blackpool in the Wembley final in 2010, and were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year.
  
  • The Welsh club have spent the last nine seasons in the second tier, and last played top-flight football in 1962.
  
  • Manager Malky Mackay was part of the Watford team that beat Leeds 3-0 in the 2006 Championship play-off final, at the Millennium Stadium.
  
  
  
  West Ham United 
   
  • The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion by two points, but also ended the regular season with four wins in six games. They lost one of the last 18 to wind up third.
  
  • The club finishing third has been the most successful in the play-offs over the last 20 years, gaining promotion seven times - the most recent being Swansea last season.
  
  • West Ham are aiming to make an immediate return to the Premier League. They qualified for the final in both previous experiences of the play-offs, and were successful in 2005, beating Preston in the final at the Millennium Stadium, when Malky Mackay was at the club, but did not play.
  
  • These will be the fourth play-offs in which Sam Allardyce has managed a club. He took Bolton up to the Premier League via this route in 2001.
  
  TEAM NEWS; (team news from bbc)
  
  
  Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will select his starting line-up for the first leg of their play-off semi-final against West Ham from a full-strength squad. 
  
  
  Four unspecified players sustained knocks in the win at Crystal Palace, but are all expected to be back.
  
  West Ham also have a fully fit squad available with midfielder Gary O'Neil (ankle) passed fit.
  Kevin Nolan is also fine despite suffering a dead leg and James Tomkins has shaken off a knock to the head.
  
  Mackay is determined that his team will not be unnerved by recent disappointment in the play-offs.
  The Bluebirds lost out to Blackpool in a thrilling Wembley final two seasons ago, before being beaten by Reading at the last-four stage last term.
  
  
  "That's in the past, you have to take the individual games on their own merit," the Bluebirds boss said. "Each of us have been better away from home so it will be interesting. But it's a 180-minute game of football. Nothing will be decided until 6.15pm on Monday.
  "When you get to this stage it is about who is the calmest on the day, who gets that bit of luck, but also who tactically gets it right over the 180 minutes."
  
  Meanwhile, West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insisted the Hammers would not be affected by their favourites tag.
  
  The Londoners finished 11 points ahead of sixth-placed Cardiff and have won a club-record 13 matches away from home this term.
  
  "There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the pressure," McDonald said. "There were doubts about our home form but we've put that to bed with our last two games and our away form is fantastic. I don't think we have anything to be afraid of.
  "It will be a unique atmosphere but our experienced players will calm everyone down and the ones who haven't done it before should be positive. It will be a close game but hopefully we can take advantage of our away form and then bring them back to Upton Park on Monday and show what we did in the last two matches, which is play positive football, create chances and score goals."
  
   Footballcrazybaby predicts;
  
  Cardiff City 2-1 win 1st leg, 1-1 2nd leg. Cardiff to reach final 3-1 agg
  
  
  
  

Roy Hodgson & England: Reaction to FA move for West Brom boss

Former England manager Graham Taylor believes the Football Association has turned to Roy Hodgson because he will create a "club-like atmosphere" at its new National Football Centre.

The FA has been given permission by West Brom to speak to Hodgson about becoming the next England boss.

Analysis

Dan Roan BBC sports news correspondent

"It's a big shock as the red-hot favourite was Harry Redknapp. The FA has gone against the will of the people and the Press and gone for Roy Hodgson. The pressure will be on from day one."

Taylor says the new centre at Burton-on-Trent is key. 

"With the building of the new centre, that is going to be absolutely vital with future England teams at all levels," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I just happen to feel, without the FA saying this, that what they're probably looking for is a man who will be willing to go into Burton pretty much every day and stay in a tracksuit, and see the young boys at youth level, see the under-21s and his first team when they are there.

"They haven't said that, that's just me assuming, but I don't think they will see that Harry will fit that bill."
BBC presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker says Hodgson is a solid choice who has the experience to get the best out of a team.

He said: "I think Roy is a safe pair of hands, I think the FA would have recognised that. He's a very likable guy, very authoritative and very knowledgeable about the game.

Reaction on Twitter

• Everton captain Phil Neville:  "Surely Roy Hodgson can't be the only name on the 'list'??" looks that way!"
• West Brom midfielder Steven Reid:  "Be very hard to turn down England manager's job!!"
• Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic:  "Fair play to Roy Hodgson. Great manager and would be a great appointment for the FA! #classact"

"He clearly has bags of experience, all over the world and at all sorts of levels of football. He has tactical nous and he understands how to get the best out of his team and players. 

"He has enjoyed mixed success at various clubs. He has done a terrific job at West Brom, did excellently at Fulham where he led them to a European final, yet it did not quite happen for him at Liverpool and way back at Blackburn."

Former Liverpool player John Barnes , who earned 79 England caps, thinks Hodgson can succeed under the correct expectations.

He said: "Roy Hodgson is as good as anyone, he's competent, he's a good manager and he's proven at international level, although the expectations with Switzerland and Finland are not what they are at England.

"People have to take a more pragmatic approach about England and if we quell our expectations, he will do a good job. We have to be looking to get results and be competitive rather than thinking we're the best in the world and should try to play like that. Roy will give us consistency.

"We're not Barcelona or Spain so let us get a manager who will play to our strengths and be pragmatic and organised."

Sir Geoff Hurst feels Hodgson is well qualified but that Redknapp was the "outstanding candidate" for the national job.
Hurst, who scored a hat-trick as England beat Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, said: "I thought Harry was probably the outstanding candidate at the time because he has had success with Tottenham at a higher level.

Football experts on Roy Hodgson's credentials

"Roy has managed in the Europa League and also at international level, which is also good experience, but what Harry has achieved at Spurs in the last three or four years as been quite remarkable."

Former England player Matthew Le Tissier believes the cost of Redknapp's compensation is the reason the FA have gone for Hodgson.

He said: "It seems to me that the FA has gone for someone who's going to do as he's told (and) isn't going to cost anything in terms of compensation," Le Tissier told Absolute Radio.

"It looks to me like it's the cheap option and the safe option... whether or not it's the right option only time will tell. I've never really been excited by Roy Hodgson's teams and I think that's where my reservation stems from."

David Davies, a former FA chief executive, says while he thought Harry Redknapp was destined to be interviewed for the post, Roy Hodgson is well equipped to lead England.

"Like most people I expected that Harry Redknapp would, at the very least, be interviewed by the FA. That was wrong.

Hodgson second choice - Lawrenson

"The FA believe that they have carried out a very professional, research-based process which has led them to make one approach and that is to Roy Hodgson.

"I happen to think Roy is someone with the very best credentials for the job. Redknapp was very clearly the public and the media's choice, and it is for the FA to explain why they didn't take his candidature any further.
"My understanding is there was a shortlist this time as well, of more than two people. No there weren't other interviews, but there was lot of research and a lot of talking to other people in the game. The FA believe, as I understand it, that they have learnt the lessons of the past and they've carried out a very discreet process."

England Supporters' Club member Mark Perryman said the FA needed to explain why it had overlooked Redknapp.
"It's almost inconceivable that they haven't approached Redknapp," he said.

Article from bbc/football. Link below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/england/17890094

More on this story below;

 Harry Redknapp wishes Roy Hodgson well 

He's not Harry Redknapp but....... 

England play safe 

Roy Hodgson could be a huge success 

City move into poll position

MAN CITY 1 - 0 MAN UTD

Kompany 45'


City move above Utd in the title race and mancini still believes Man Utd are favourites to lift the prestigious Premier League trophy.

Is this reverse psychology? We thinks so.
Saying that Man Utd are still favourites, Mancicni is hoping that football fans all over the globe don't expect City to be top at the end of the season, and so this will take pressure off his players and in deed himself.
However the message Mancini is putting across can't be nice for his squad. 'basicly saying Utd our bitter rivals are better than us'.
We believe that behind close doors that isn't the case at all, its more like 'lads we beat our rivals last night and move above them, we are the best side in England, we just need to prove it by finishing the last two games on a high'.

There is know way a manager would concede that bitter rivals are better, especially in the current situation. So its just reverse psychology.

Any way to the game last night.

Below is the article from bbc/football. Link below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17810224

Manchester City took control of the Premier League title race with two games remaining thanks to a derby victory over rivals Manchester United. 

Vincent Kompany's header in first-half stoppage time gave City the win that puts them top on goal difference, just three weeks after they trailed United by eight points.

City needed victory while Sir Alex Ferguson knew a draw would suit his purposes more than opposite number Roberto Mancini.

And the United manager perhaps decided to err on the side of caution, with Wayne Rooney employed as a lone striker.

In a game of few chances, City were the more positive side and deserved the three points from what had been labelled the biggest game in the Premier League's 20-year history.

City win changes nothing - Mancini

United, in contrast, were passive, poor and lacking inspiration despite the high stakes, failing to get a shot on target as City keeper Joe Hart enjoyed a virtually untroubled night.

Ferguson's frustrations boiled over in the closing stages when he angrily confronted Mancini after City substitute Nigel de Jong was booked for fouling Danny Welbeck.

Mancini delighted City's support by giving the Scot as good as he got - complete with gestures - as they went head-to-head before fourth official Mike Jones stepped in.

With United dropping eight points out of their last 12, the momentum and advantage is now with City. Mancini knows victory in their last two games, away at Newcastle United and at home to Queens Park Rangers, would give them their first title since 1967-68.

City's recent resurgence has also proved decisive for their goal difference as they now hold an eight-goal advantage over United and, as referee Andre Marriner sounded the final whistle, their fans joyously celebrated a victory they clearly felt would prove decisive.

City's home comforts

City's Premier League home record this season stands at 17 wins and one draw. They are guaranteed to finish with the best home record in the division this season and the team sporting that record has won the Premier League in each of the last nine seasons.

Ferguson's selection had an almost European look to it, with Rooney starting as the lone front man and Park Ji-sung starting in the Premier League for the first time since January with the apparent detail of marking Yaya Toure. 

Watched from the stands by his father-in-law Diego Maradona, Sergio Aguero had City's best early chances but the Argentine was twice off target.

Rooney cut an isolated figure in a United side seemingly set out for containment - but he was still lively enough to enjoy several feisty exchanges with Kompany, one of which earned the City captain a yellow card from referee Marriner.

After being frustrated by United early on, City gradually increased the pressure and were rewarded with the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. Chris Smalling failed to make contact with David Silva's corner and Kompany powered a header past United keeper David de Gea.

'No complaints' from Ferguson

Park's contribution had been minimal and it was no surprise when he was the first player sacrificed by Ferguson before the hour, as he chose to give United more offensive options by introducing Welbeck.
Carlos Tevez had also worked hard but had been on the margins. He was replaced with the more defensive-minded De Jong after 67 minutes.

Mancini attempted to close the game down further by introducing Micah Richards for David Silva, United responding by introducing Ashley Young for the disappointing Nani, an alteration that met with little attacking response from United.

Toure had been dominant for City and almost wrapped up the victory with a 20-yard shot just wide following a trademark surge from midfield.

In the closing moments it was City applying the pressure as opposed to United, with De Gea saving well from Gael Clichy and the otherwise excellent Samir Nasri guilty of over-elaboration with an opportunity in the area after another powerhouse run from Toure.

United's display was so poor that they were unable to even rouse themselves for their trademark late rally, City surviving in complete comfort to take control of the title race.

Lineups;

Manchester City

• 25 Hart
• 04 Kompany Booked
• 05 Zabaleta
• 06 Lescott
• 22 Clichy
• 18 Barry
• 19 Nasri (Milner - 90' )
• 21 Silva (Richards - 82' )
• 42 Y Toure Booked
• 16 Aguero
• 32 Tevez (De Jong - 68' Booked )

Substitutes

• 30 Pantilimon
• 02 Richards
• 13 Kolarov
• 07 Milner
• 34 De Jong
• 10 Dzeko
• 45 Balotelli

Manchester United

• 01 De Gea
• 03 Evra
• 04 Jones Booked
• 05 Ferdinand
• 12 Smalling
• 11 Giggs
• 13 Park Ji-sung (Welbeck - 58' )
• 16 Carrick Booked
• 17 Nani (Young - 83' )
• 22 Scholes (Valencia - 78' )
• 10 Rooney

Substitutes

• 40 Amos
• 21 Rafael
• 18 Young
• 25 Valencia
• 09 Berbatov
• 14 Hernandez
• 19 Welbeck

Ref: Marriner

Att: 47,259

MANCHESTER DERBY!!!

Previous result; 6-1 to Man City.

Our prediction for today; 2-2.

 

 

 

OK so the title could be decided today after the massive game between the Manchester clubs.

If City pull three point out of the game tonight, its going to be hell of a fight, if Utd win tonight its good night. As simple as that.

After tonight's game there are two games remaining for both clubs. But we can't see either of the Manchester clubs losing their games.

Man City's last two games are Newcastle and QPR. Newcastle are capable of upsetting the blues at St James park but its unlikely having seen the magpies against Wigan on the weekend. And as for QPR they can always pull a surprise out of the bag, but with City being at home on the last day of the season (and the title may be decided right at the end) we see City winning comfortably.

Man Utd's last two games are Swansea at old trafford and Sunderland away. If the title race is still on then we all know how strong Man Utd are when it comes to a fight towards the latter part of the season. They are masters at it. Utd to win both games.


So it is all about tonight. Have City got enough fight to see off Utd and win there last two games? Maybe.

City on their day look like a world beating team and so they should with the value of their squad.
But on the other hand, City have had some poor displays that give us the impression they are not quite ready to win the premiership this year. Next year??? Maybe.

Utd lead by three points, and City trail but with a greater goal difference.

We can not wait for kick off and we are sure everyone who loves the beautiful game of football can't wait either.

So come on City and Utd put on a show for all the football lovers.

Cheers pps and we wish you all a very happy viewing!

footballcrazybaby loves ya all! lol

 

GAME ON! Man City vs Man Utd

Manchester City and Manchester United face crunch derby

Barclays Premier League

Venue: Etihad Stadium    Date: Monday, 30/4/12
 

Manchester City host rivals Manchester United on Monday night knowing victory would give them the edge in the Premier League title race.

United travel to Etihad Stadium with a three-point lead over their rivals, but have an inferior goal difference.
City kept the pressure on the leaders with a 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend as United drew 4-4 with Everton.

 

Victory for City would put them level with Sir Alex Ferguson's men with just two games remaining.

United have the edge in the head-to-heads, having won 67 of the 161 matches between the two clubs with City coming out on top in 44.
However, the last time the two sides met in the league, City thumped United 6-1 - the Red Devils' heaviest-ever Premier League defeat and the first time they had conceded six goals at Old Trafford since 1930.
"This is the derby game of all derby games," said Ferguson. "It is our city rivals and that makes everyone step up a notch in terms of anticipation.

"Our fans will look upon it [a possible league win] as a special one because they are our fans' most bitter rivals, there is no getting away from that. It means everything to the fans and I think going into work on Tuesday morning will be the most important day of their lives for both sets of supporters.

"People are brought up through their grandfathers, their great grandfathers, their grandmothers to be what they are. You can't change a family's traits. It is steeped in the blood of these supporters and they will give everything to win this game on Monday."
With so much at stake, City manager Roberto Mancini is hoping that this derby will pass peacefully.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Mark Lawrenson Football Analyst

"I see Sir Alex Ferguson treating this match like a Champions League group game, where they need a point. And the way to get it against good sides is to always pose a threat."

"It is a football day and not war and, for this reason, I hope all supporters will enjoy the game," said Mancini, who admitted he is worried about the day.

"The United game is like a final and you can lose these games; you are not playing against a small team."
While City's home record is favourable, with 21 wins in their last 22 matches in the top flight, the Blues have not scored at home against United in the league for nearly five years.
But recent form suggests City are favourites. Roberto Mancini's men have won their last three games, scoring 13 goals in the process.
United, meanwhile, have taken just four points from a possible nine, which included losing a 4-2 lead to draw with Everton at Old Trafford.
But if United win and then triumph in their two remaining games, they will finish with 92 points to equal their best Premier League tally, achieved when they won the title in 1994.
City visit Newcastle next after the derby clash and then face QPR at home, while United take on Swansea at Old Trafford before finishing with a trip to Sunderland.

 Did you know?
Manchester City have scored 87 goals so far this season. That's their highest total in the top flight since they netted 100 during the 1957-58 season.

Article from bbc/football. Link to article below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17875773

More to come / end of season

Hey pps, as you know the season is coming to an end, so we have a little short list of what we will be doing.

We know we feel sad also, but hey check out below to see whats going to be happening at footballcrazybaby.blogspot.com.

The BBC are currently letting the public vote with regards to the BEST premier league team. So we are going to put together what we think the team should be.

The title race is looking as if it could be won or lost between the two Manchester clubs on derby day. We will be doing a good write up on that, a few funny clips and we might throw in a few goals to view aswel.

We will be putting together our final England team for the Euros. Along with our thoughts of the selection made by whoever is in charge at the time.

Also we will be looking into the selection of team GB for the Olympics. And of course selecting our own team.

We will be looking into the relegation battle, and discuss why the three relegated clubs got relegated. And why the clubs that survived managed to stay in the premier league.

We will have a little look at a few funny videos. Located on out 'fun stuff tab'.

The FA cup final is a must. The build up, the game and post game write ups. (jamstar is a Liverpool fc fan whilst Dave is a Chelsea fan) so we expect to see a bit of banter between them on here too.

And of course the champions league final. The build up, the game, and post game write ups.

Cheers to everyone for following us. Have a great end of season. footballcrazybaby

Roy Hodgson approached by FA over England manager's job.

West Bromwich Albion have granted the Football Association permission to talk to Roy Hodgson about the vacant England manager's position.

Hodgson, 64, has already spoken with FA chairman David Bernstein about replacing Fabio Capello.

Bernstein said: "Roy is the only manager we have approached and we remain on course to make an appointment within the timescale we set out. 

"Further conversations will now take place with Roy."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp had been heavily linked with the England job ever since Capello left the post in February, but the FA has decided to discuss the position with Hodgson, who has previous international experience from his time in charge of Switzerland and Finland.

Hodgson, who had a disappointing spell in charge of Liverpool last season, has steered West Brom to mid-table in the Premier League.
 Albion chairman Jeremy Peace hopes he will stay on at the Hawthorns.

Peace said: "Roy has done a fantastic job over the past 15 months and the fact the FA wants to discuss the England role with him is testament to that.
"Roy is a proud Englishman and we can understand why he wants to speak to the FA about this highly prestigious managerial position.

Archive: Triesman tips Hodgson for England job in March 2012

"However, we have emphasised to Roy how much we would like him to remain as our head coach and continue his major contribution to our project at the Hawthorns as we look to establish ourselves as a Premier League club.

"Everyone here has an excellent working relationship with him and he is immensely popular with our supporters." 
Hodgson's contract with West Brom ends on 30 June.

England have two fixtures before their Euro 2012 opener against France on 11 June, with friendlies planned against Norway on 26 May and Belgium on 2 June.

Stuart Pearce - who is in charge of both the England Under-21 side and the Team GB Olympic squad - is currently in charge and oversaw a 3-2 friendly defeat by the Netherlands at Wembley last month.

Pearce said he would be prepared to lead the team into Euro 2012 and stated earlier this week that he could name the squad on or around 10 May if no new manager was in place by that date.

West Brom are due to end their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on 13 May.


Article from bbc/sport. Link below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17888928

Spurs back into 4th as Blackburn sit 19th

Picture By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport

   Tottenham2  -  0 Blackburn

                                    Van der Vaart 22′
                                                        Walker 75′

Tottenham moved back into fourth place in the Premier League as they beat a poor Blackburn side whose relegation fears increased with the defeat.

Rafael van der Vaart lashed Spurs ahead with a close-range shot after Gareth Bale's header came back off the bar.

Harry Redknapp

A William Gallas near-post header also struck the crossbar as Spurs dominated.
Kyle Walker curled in an exquisite 25-yard free-kick to secure a home win against second-from-bottom Rovers, who did not muster a single attempt.

After one win in nine, Tottenham knew they needed a victory after Chelsea had overtaken them with a win against QPR and the White Hart Lane outfit duly rose to the challenge as they leapfrogged the Blues and Newcastle to regain fourth spot.

Spurs will now hope they can continue their return to form and finish third, as they know fourth place will not be good enough for a Champions League spot if Chelsea win the final of Europe's top club competition on 19 May.

Analysis

Jonathan Pearce BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Spurs are back to winning ways to give them hope of a Champions League place and they could have had four or five. Blackburn got what they deserved, absolutely nothing. This was a poor performance by them and they will need a huge improvement to stay up."

Blackburn had the incentive of drawing level with relegation rivals Bolton and QPR but, while there was plenty to admire about Spurs, Rovers succumbed in a fashion which left ominous signs that the drop looms. 

The visitors have the worst record in the top flight for conceding goals on the road and, after quickly retreating under Tottenham's pressure, they soon surrendered the lead.

A long-range Sandro shot smacked against the crossbar before Bale's header from Aaron Lennon's cross came off the woodwork and Van der Vaart pounced.

It was a Spurs performance which possessed much of what has been behind their success this season, with the movement and vision of Luka Modric and Van der Vaart proving key.

Blackburn still have belief - Kean

The home side's passing was sharp, there was pace and purpose to their play and, most importantly, they finished off their superiority with two goals after a run of scoring six in eight Premier League outings.

The woodwork had rescued Blackburn when a Gallas header hit the crossbar and, although Spurs had to wait until the 75th minute to add a second, it was worth the wait.

Right-back Walker curled a long-range free-kick out of the despairing reach of ex-Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.

Blackburn might have attempted to take the game to Spurs considering their precarious position but they failed to test home keeper Brad Friedel, leaving them three points from safety with games at home to Wigan and away to Chelsea left.

Lineups;

Tottenham Hotspur

• 24 Friedel
• 04 Kaboul
• 13 Gallas
• 28 Walker
• 03 Bale
• 07 Lennon (Giovani - 84' )
• 11 Van der Vaart (Defoe - 88' )
• 14 Modric
• 25 Rose
• 30 Sandro (Livermore - 86' )
• 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

• 23 Cudicini
• 26 King
• 33 Nelsen
• 29 Livermore
• 15 Saha
• 17 Giovani
• 18 Defoe

Blackburn Rovers

• 01 Robinson
• 05 Givet
• 16 Dann
• 18 Orr
• 08 Dunn (Goodwillie - 84' )
• 10 Formica
• 12 Pedersen
• 21 Ms Olsson
• 35 Lowe
• 23 Hoilett
• 24 Yakubu (Modeste - 72' )

Substitutes

• 34 Kean
• 03 Mn Olsson
• 14 Petrovic
• 15 Nzonzi
• 09 Modeste
• 20 Rochina
• 25 Goodwillie

Ref: Jones

Att: 35,798

Article from bbc/sport. Link below;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17803505

£50 Million Torres smashes QPR

Picture By Marc Higginson BBC Sport

 

Fernando Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to boost Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish and pile the misery on relegation-threatened QPR. Daniel Sturridge scored after 45 seconds before John Terry headed home and Torres struck twice as Chelsea swept into a 4-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Chelsea energy surprises Di Matteo

Torres sealed his hat-trick after the break, with Florent Malouda making it 6-0 before Djibril Cisse's consolation.

Chelsea are sixth, with QPR above the drop zone on goal difference.
Playing with the sort of confidence and ability which persuaded Blues owner Roman Abramovich to pay £50m for his services, Torres ripped the Rangers defence to pieces with his direct running and clinical finishing.

Clearly buoyed by his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League, he continually latched on to clever, probing through balls from Juan Mata, Salomon Kalou and Sturridge.
And if the Champions League victory over Barcelona was built on solid foundations, this demolition was more to do with sheer skill and class.

Did you know?

• The victory over QPR was Chelsea's 400th in the Premier League

From the moment Sturridge cut inside and fired home from 25 yards, there was only going to be one winner. 

Terry doubled the home side's lead, heading home Mata's corner, before Torres ran on to Kalou's delightful pass to round Paddy Kenny and make it 3-0, with his second coming as Nedum Onuoha and Paddy Kenny made a complete hash of a clearance.

After Mata missed a good chance to make it five shortly after half-time, Jamie Mackie almost offered his side something to cheer about when his stinging shot was turned wide by Petr Cech.

Hughes demands QPR improvement

Torres looked to be getting closer to his first hat-trick since 2009 when his powerful shot from the edge of the area was beaten away by Kenny.

And the moment finally came in the 64th minute when the Spaniard was put through on goal by Mata's inch-perfect pass and he side-footed into the far corner.

Substitute Malouda made it six when he smashed in from close range before Cisse hooked a shot across Cech into the net.

It was of little consolation for the Hoops, whose inadequacies were woefully exposed by their rampant hosts.

There was still time for Chelsea supporters to sing the name of caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo and, after finally getting the best out of his owner's £50m investment, what price the Italian being given the job on a permanent basis?

Lineups;

Chelsea

• 01 Cech
• 03 Cole
• 17 Bosingwa (Hutchinson - 81' )
• 19 Ferreira
• 26 Terry
• 05 Essien
• 08 Lampard
• 09 Torres
• 10 Mata (Malouda - 67' )
• 21 Kalou (Ramires - 73' )
• 23 Sturridge

Substitutes

• 22 Turnbull
• 27 Hutchinson
• 06 Romeu
• 07 Ramires
• 15 Malouda
• 16 Meireles
• 11 Drogba

Queens Park Rangers

• 01 Kenny
• 03 Hill
• 34 Taiwo
• 35 Ferdinand
• 42 Onuoha
• 04 Derry
• 14 Buzsaky (Traore - 66' )
• 17 Barton Booked
• 12 Mackie
• 23 Cisse
• 52 Zamora (Wright-Phillips - 78' )

Substitutes

• 24 Cerny
• 06 Gabbidon
• 13 Traore
• 18 Young
• 32 Wright-Phillips
• 09 Campbell
• 21 Smith

Ref: H Webb

Att: 41,675

 

 

Chelsea 6
 

Sturridge 1′ Terry 13′ Torres 19′, 25′, 64′ Malouda 80′

 

 QPR 1
 

Cisse 84′

• FT 90 +5
• HT 4-0 

The article is from the bbc/sport website. Link below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17803533

We are so happy for Muamba

Fabrice Muamba returns to Twitter as his recovery continues

Fabrice Muamba has returned to Twitter for the first time since his cardiac arrest and may be present when Bolton play Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. 

Muamba posted a message thanking fans for their support before captain Kevin Davies revealed the midfielder could be in the crowd at the Reebok in midweek.

"That would give us a huge lift," said Davies.

Muamba's heart stopped beating naturally for 78 minutes after his cardiac arrest on 17 March.
 
But he has stunned doctors with his rapid recovery, leaving hospital to return home on 16 April.
 
He wrote on Saturday:  "Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support. Good to be back on Twitter."

The Congo-born star also sent a good luck message to his Bolton team-mates ahead of their match at Sunderland, writing: "Hoping Bolton pick up three points today. Come on lads, we can do this."

Muamba was unconscious for three days after collapsing on the pitch during his team's FA Cup quarter-final match against Tottenham.

A consultant cardiologist attending the game as a fan rushed to his aid on the pitch but the player failed to respond to 15 defibrillator shocks before his heart finally started beating again.

His condition began to improve rapidly after he was stabilised at the London Chest Hospital.
The former England under-21 star described his recovery as "more than a miracle".
 
It is not yet known if Muamba will recover sufficiently to play professional football again.

Davies believes Muamba's presence back at the Reebok would give the club a huge lift as they battle to stay in the Premier League.

"There's talk that he could be coming to the Spurs game," said the 35-year-old Davies after scoring twice in Bolton's 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.
 
"We're delighted for him and now we're looking to address football matters."

Article from bbc/sport. Link below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17881669

8 goal thriller Swansea vs Wolves

Picture By

Bruce Pope 

BBC Sport Wales

 

SWANSEA 4 - 4 WOLVES 

Orlandi 1'             Fletcher 28'

Allen 4'                 Jarvis 33'

Dyer 15'               Edwards 54'

Graham 31'         Jarvis 69' 

 

Matt Jarvis's two goals spearheaded a thrilling Wolves fightback at Swansea.

In a breathless start Andrea Orlandi and Nathan Dyer headed in for Swansea either side of Joe Allen's low strike.

Steven Fletcher looped in a header in reply before Danny Graham's close-range curler made it 4-1, only for Jarvis to drill in from Kevin Doyle's cross.

Dave Edwards burst through the middle for Wolves' third and Jarvis completed the recovery as he slid in to convert Fletcher's cross.

Wolves arrived at the Liberty Stadium bottom of the Premier League and already relegated, and the early signs were that they would sink into the Championship with a whimper.

Swansea took the lead within 46 seconds when Scott Sinclair, on the left wing, was allowed to turn inside and deliver a curling cross with his right foot.
Orlandi, who had not scored for two years, rose highest to flick his header over Dorus de Vries in the Wolves goal.

De Vries opted to leave the Welsh club to join Wolves at the end of last season and his former team-mates soon had the Dutchman stooping to pick the ball out of the net for a second time. 

Graham and Gylfi Sigurdsson combined to send Allen through the middle, and the midfielder's shot took a deflection off Richard Stearman to leave De Vries stranded.

A third goal arrived within 15 minutes when Orlandi was allowed to drive into the left of the Wolves area before squaring for Dyer to head in at the back post.

Wolves' lackadaisical defending was catching and the visitors pulled a goal back as the Swansea defence dozed, allowing an unmarked Fletcher to head home from Doyle's cross.

Graham restored Swansea's three-goal cushion when Dyer was allowed two bites to squeeze the ball across goal for the striker to end an 11-game goal drought.
But back came Wolves as Doyle, this time popping up on the right, sent a steepling cross towards Jarvis to smash home despite Ashley Williams' attempted block.

Swans manager Brendan Rodgers had started with an experimental 3-4-3 formation, but a knock to Orlandi allowed him to bring on Wales left-back Neil Taylor instead of the midfielder for the second half.

Sigurdsson nearly extended the Welsh side's lead twice in a matter of moments, first hitting the post from the edge of the area and then bringing a fine save out of De Vries.
Instead it was Wolves who scored the next goal, as Michael Kightly played a reverse-pass into the path of Edwards for the Wales midfielder to shoot low into the far corner.

Edwards was also heavily involved in the 69th-minute equaliser, finding Fletcher in space on the left, the striker in turn threading the ball across for Jarvis to grab his second.

Kightly had a late chance to strike an improbable winner when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake picked him out on the right, but the Wolves midfielder skied his shot over.

A topsy-turvy game would not have been complete without one more Swansea chance deep into injury time, but substitute Luke Moore was well tackled by Ward before he could get his shot goalwards.

But while Wolves will be in the Championship next season, despite their show of spirit, the point was enough for Swansea to mathematically guarantee their involvement in the Premier League next season.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers:
"Obviously I'm a bit disappointed, for the first 30 minutes of the game we were sensational… we lost our concentration before half-time and then second half we just didn't defend well as a team.
 "But give credit to Wolves. It's been a tough time for Terry [manager Terry Connor] since he's gone in there, I think he's been admirable on how he's coped with it all and many teams at 3-0 down here… would maybe fall away but they never did that. 
"They kept fighting and it's a great credit to Terry and the players that they did that."
 
Wolves boss Terry Connor: "Since I took over, every time we've travelled away the fans have been absolutely terrific, right behind the lads, right by myself and they've applauded them at the end of every game.
"That's credit to those fans who have come and supported us through thick and thin.
"I'll give a full review [to the Wolves board] at the end of the season, give my thoughts, what we've done well and what we haven't done so well. Whatever path the club decide to take next season it will be for the benefit of the football club."

 

Line-ups;

Swansea City

• 01 Vorm
• 02 Williams
• 04 Caulker
• 16 Monk
• 07 Britton Booked
• 08 Orlandi (Taylor - 46' )
• 11 Sinclair
• 12 Dyer
• 24 Allen
• 42 Sigurdsson
• 10 Graham (Moore - 82' Booked )

Substitutes

• 25 Tremmel
• 03 Taylor
• 15 Routledge
• 17 McEachran
• 27 Gower
• 18 Lita
• 19 Moore

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 31 De Vries
• 05 Stearman
• 11 Ward Booked
• 16 Berra
• 32 Foley
• 04 Edwards
• 07 Kightly
• 08 Henry
• 17 Jarvis (Hunt - 72' )
• 10 Fletcher (Ebanks-Blake - 76' )
• 29 Doyle

Substitutes

• 13 Ikeme
• 14 Johnson
• 23 Zubar
• 12 Hunt
• 20 Milijas
• 22 Jonsson
• 09 Ebanks-Blake

Ref: Moss

Att: 19,408

 

 

Article from bbc/sport. Link is below;

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17796330

Hat-trick hero shows his magic

Picture

By 

Arindam Rej  

BBC Sport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NORWICH VS LIVERPOOL 

                           Suarez 24' 28' 82'

 

A Luis Suarez hat-trick, including a brilliant strike from 45 yards, helped Liverpool ease past Norwich as they hit form ahead of the FA Cup final. 

Suarez scored his first after seizing on Steven Gerrard's through-ball and curling into the far corner.
His second followed when he surged down the right and fired beyond John Ruddy.

Jonjo Shelvey hit the bar with a header before Suarez completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion, lobbing Ruddy from close to the halfway line.

Suarez's third was the pick of an impressive bunch as he pounced on Elliott Ward's failure to keep possession near the halfway line then, spotting Ruddy off his line, executed an inch-perfect chip over the sprawling keeper. 

It sealed a welcome victory for Liverpool, who had looked in danger of sinking into the bottom half after winning two of 11 league matches before this one.

Although Chelsea await in the Cup final on Saturday, Kenny Dalglish's team did not look distracted as they recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in six months.

Mid-table Norwich look like a side who are winding down for the season and have lost three in a row for the first time in this impressive campaign.

It was an uncharacteristically clinical first-half display from Liverpool, with Suarez looking sharp and working well in tandem with the returning Gerrard, who had been rested the previous week against West Brom.
 
Liverpool wasted more chances in the second period but still looked in command. Paul Lambert's men were sloppy and missed the final-third physicality of Grant Holt, who only came on for the final 15 minutes.

Holt's omission was one of five changes, which was the same number of alterations that Liverpool made to their starting line-up, as Andy Carroll was left out of the squad.

That meant there were 15 English players starting, equalling the most in a Premier League fixture this season, the other being Bolton v Stoke on 6 November.

With so many changes, it was a low-key opening quarter as neither side gelled particularly effectively, but Norwich switched off for a four-minute spell and Suarez punished them. 

Gerrard provided the spark that led to Suarez's opener. He caught David Fox napping by intercepting a weak pass and then delivered the ball early to the Uruguayan, who burst clear and curled the ball into the far corner.

Liverpool nearly added a second instantly as Suarez cut the ball back for the unmarked Gerrard, whose 16-yard shot was blocked by Ryan Bennett.

Norwich were looking unsettled and the next goal came when Ward's failure to keep the ball allowed Suarez to go racing down the right flank before cutting inside and arrowing in powerfully. After that, Dalglish's men started looking comfortable in possession and in control of the game.

More fight was shown by Norwich early in the second half as Elliott Bennett unleashed a 25-yard effort that Pepe Reina saved, then Bradley Johnson headed wide from Anthony Pilkington's corner.

After Liverpool wasted several more opportunities, including Shelvey's headed attempt and a Suarez chip from 16 yards, Norwich sensed they could find a way back. James Vaughan headed wide from Russell Martin's cross and had a shot blocked by Jamie Carragher.

But the game was over when Suarez sealed his first Liverpool hat-trick in sublime style.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert: "You can't defend in that way against that calibre of player and think you can get away with it. If you're not 100% on your game, these things can certainly happen.

"It's a sore one. There are not many times when I have walked away from here disappointed in the three years I've been here but that was disappointing.

"I don't think we're ever lost three in a row - it's not too bad that it's taken this length of time - but we've still got two massive games to try to get through and that's what we'll try to do."

Line-ups,

Norwich City

• 01 Ruddy
• 03 Drury (R Martin - 12' )
• 22 Ward Booked
• 25 Naughton
• 33 R Bennett Booked
• 04 Johnson
• 12 Pilkington
• 15 Fox (Vaughan - 46' Booked )
• 17 E Bennett
• 24 Howson Booked
• 05 Morison (Holt - 76' )

Substitutes

• 31 Steer
• 02 R Martin
• 11 Surman
• 14 Hoolahan
• 08 Vaughan
• 09 Holt
• 21 Wilbraham

Liverpool

• 25 Reina
• 02 Johnson
• 03 Jose Enrique
• 05 Agger
• 23 Carragher
• 08 Gerrard (Coates - 85' )
• 14 Henderson
• 19 Downing
• 33 Shelvey
• 07 Suarez (Kuyt - 85' )
• 39 Bellamy

Substitutes

• 32 Doni
• 16 Coates
• 34 Kelly
• 37 Skrtel
• 11 Maxi
• 20 Spearing
• 18 Kuyt

Ref: Halsey

Att: 26,819

 

Article from the bbc/sport page. Link below;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17796316